ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Janyssa Martin Central Union High softball
EL CENTRO — The young yet experienced Central Union High softball team has put together a string of solid performances over its last few games to improve to 15-6 overall and 7-0 in Imperial Valley League action.
Last week, the Spartans picked up a pair of wins after defeating Brawley Union High, 8-2, and High Tech San Diego, 8-5, in an exciting come-from-behind game.
Helping the Spartans to the wins was sophomore starter Janyssa Martin.
Martin recorded the win in the circle against the Wildcats and contributed in the outfield against High Tech.
In the win over Brawley, Martin gave up just four hits, one earned run and three walks, while striking out seven in the complete-game effort. At the plate, the 16-year-old went 3-4 with a double, a home run and two runs scored.
“I was actually so excited for us to play them — we were ready,” Martin said.
Despite giving up a run in the first inning to the Wildcats, Martin maintained her composure and doubled to open the bottom of the first inning and eventually came around to score and tie the game.
“I was sort of mad at myself for giving up that run, so I wanted to get it back,” Martin said.
Against High Tech, the Spartans were down 5-4 heading into the top of the seventh, when Martin delivered a tworun shot over the leftfield fence to regain the lead. It was her second home run of the week.
“I kept thinking, ‘Don’t catch it. Don’t catch it.’ Then it just went over,” Martin recalled with a smile. My Favorites Pro athlete Stephen Curry Team Florida Gators Class Math TV show “Vampire Diaries” Actor Chris Evans Song “She’s Country” Musician Luke Bryan
What do you enjoy most about your sport?
I love that you get to work with your teammates and that it’s so mental — you have to be in the game the whole time.
What is one of your more memorable moments in your sport?
My most recent favorite moment was the Calexico game. I was pitching, and the game was so close because neither one of us were hitting. I think that’s the most “on” I’ve ever been. Almost everything I threw was a strike.
Who inspires you and why?
All the credit goes to God first, and my family has always been sports-oriented so they push me to do my best and support me if there is something I want to get.
What are your goals for the rest of this season?
For me, to throw a no-hitter and for my team, to win our last game, which will be at CIF.